9-Day North Macedonia Explorer: Skopje, Ohrid, Matka Canyon & Mavrovo

DAY 1 | Tuesday – Depart for North Macedonia

Start your Balkan adventure and depart for North Macedonia, a land of stunning landscapes, rich history, and vibrant culture.

DAY 2 | Wednesday – Arrive in Skopje

Arrive in Skopje, North Macedonia’s eclectic capital. Transfer to your hotel and spend the day at leisure. In the evening, meet your Tour Manager for an orientation and welcome reception.

Overnight: Skopje | Meals: Dinner

DAY 3 | Thursday – Skopje Walking Tour & Optional Food Experience

Explore Skopje’s Old Town on a guided walking tour:

• Macedonia Square with the iconic statue of Alexander the Great

• Porta Macedonia, a grand triumphal arch

• Turkish Stone Bridge

• Byzantine Fortress, dominating the skyline

• Old Bazaar, with artisan shops, cafes, and historic charm

Optional: Embark on the Skopje Food Tour and sample regional specialties while discovering the city’s culinary heritage.

Overnight: Skopje | Meals: Breakfast

DAY 4 | Friday – Full-Day Excursion to Ohrid & Lake Cruise

Journey to Ohrid, a UNESCO World Heritage Site nestled on Lake Ohrid, one of Europe’s oldest and deepest lakes. Tour the Old Town, known as the “Jerusalem of the Balkans”:

• Statue of St. Clement

• Roman Amphitheater

• Church of St. Sophia

• Tsar Samoil’s Fortress

Take a scenic boat cruise across the lake, and enjoy free time to explore local restaurants before returning to Skopje.
Note: This is a long, approximately 12-hour day.

Overnight: Skopje | Meals: Breakfast

DAY 5 | Saturday – Optional Ancient City of Stobi & Wine Tasting

Spend the day at leisure in Skopje, or join the optional Stobi Archaeological Site & Wine Tasting Tour.

• Explore Stobi, Macedonia’s ancient Roman city with theaters, palaces, and mosaics

• Visit a nearby vineyard for wine tasting and sample local specialties like Galichnik cheese and smoked meats

• Enjoy a regional lunch before returning to Skopje

Optional: Ancient City of Stobi with Wine Tasting & Lunch | Overnight: Skopje | Meals: Breakfast

DAY 6 | Sunday – Vodno Mountain & Matka Canyon with Boat Ride

Begin the day with a cable car ride to Vodno Mountain for panoramic views from the Millennium Cross, standing 217 feet tall. Continue to Matka Canyon, a stunning gorge carved by the Treska River, with steep cliffs and emerald waters.

• Optional boat ride in the canyon

• Free time for lunch before returning to Skopje

Overnight: Skopje | Meals: Breakfast

DAY 7 | Monday – Optional Full-Day Kosovo Tour: Pristina & Prizren

Spend the day at leisure in Skopje or join the optional Kosovo Explorer Tour:

• Visit Pristina: National Library, Newborn Monument, Clock Tower, Imperial Mosque

• Explore Prizren, a multicultural city with Ottoman architecture

• Walk across the 16th-century Stone Bridge, and see Sinan Pasha Mosque, Prizren Fortress, and the Orthodox Church of St. George

Note: Early start; optional tour lasts approximately 11 hours.

Optional: Full-Day Kosovo Tour | Overnight: Skopje | Meals: Breakfast

DAY 8 | Tuesday – Optional Bigorski Monastery & Mavrovo National Park with Lunch

Your final day offers an optional excursion to Mavrovo National Park, one of North Macedonia’s most picturesque nature reserves:

• Visit Bigorski Monastery, an 11th-century Byzantine treasure dedicated to St. John the Baptist, with intricate wood-carved iconostasis and frescoes

• Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant with traditional Macedonian dishes
  Return to Skopje for a farewell dinner with your Tour Manager

Optional: Bigorski Monastery & Mavrovo National Park | Overnight: Skopje | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 9 | Wednesday – Depart North Macedonia

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight, concluding your unforgettable journey through North Macedonia.

Meals: Breakfast

Stay & Explore Highlights

• Explore Skopje Old Town, Macedonia Square, and the historic bazaar

• Visit Lake Ohrid and cruise its tranquil waters

• Discover Matka Canyon, one of Europe’s most breathtaking natural gorges

• Optional tours: Stobi Archaeological Site, Kosovo, Mavrovo National Park & Bigorski Monastery

• Relax in central hotels with included breakfast and select dinners

• Perfect balance of guided sightseeing and leisure exploration

Package Includes

• Round-trip flights: New York–Skopje / Skopje–New York (other departures available)

• 7 nights accommodation in Skopje, First Class

• 8 meals: 7 breakfasts, 1 dinner

• Hotel porterage and transfers

• Sightseeing in modern air-conditioned motor coach

• Services of an English-speaking tour manager and local guides

• Entrance fees per itinerary

• Wireless earphones for guided touring

Not Included

• Optional excursions and gratuities (unless specified)